Dave Ballance

Dave Ballance has a diverse work experience spanning over 35 years. Dave started their career in the Royal Air Force as a Fast Jet Test Pilot and Squadron Pilot, where they gained extensive flight test and flying instruction experience. Dave also graduated from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School. After serving in the RAF for 20 years, Dave worked at QinetiQ as a Test Pilot, providing technical assurance delivery for defense aviation projects and was a line manager for up to 10 colleagues. Dave then joined Flybe as an Airline Pilot for six years. In 2014, they joined Aberdeen Drilling Consultants Ltd as a Technical Specialist, specializing in Integrated Control Systems for the Oil and Gas sector. Dave was responsible for on-site inspections, reviews, testing, audits, and in-depth reporting. Since 2020, Dave has been working at the Shetland Space Centre in an Operations role.

Dave Ballance attended the University of Southampton from 1985 to 1988, where they pursued a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Aerospace Systems Engineering. In 2001, they obtained a certification in the USAF Experimental Test Pilot Course from the United States Air Force.